Getting Your Truck Ready for the Winter

Keeping your truck on the road during the colder winter months is a top concern for every truck driver. Your vehicle or fleet may easily travel through harsh winter conditions with appropriate maintenance and planning. Before the snow flies, get your equipment set up and check out the following crucial truck components and systems to ensure they're in good operating order:

Battery: Your truck's battery is its heart and soul, and in Winter, it can drain very quickly. You'll also need to check whether it's holding a charge and ensure that it isn't past its used expiry date.

Diesel Fuel: To prevent gelling of your fuel, switch to a winter diesel blend or add some anti-gel additives. Running low on the additive could also mean trouble.

Windshield Wipers: Winter weather conditions can cause windshields to become obscured by ice and increase the need for more frequent wiper use. Keep an eye on your wipers to ensure they're in good shape and replace blades appropriately if they aren't clearing the window properly.

Windshield De-Icer: You'll need this for deicing your windshield quickly and efficiently when temperatures are freezing! It's essential if you have large windows with little room for scraping ice away.

Cooling Systems: Your engine is a machine that operates best when it's warm. In Winter, snow and ice can build up on external surfaces where the coolant runs. If you notice your engine is running hot, make sure the coolant has been topped up and check for leaks in hoses or around joints. Also, do a PSI check on the coolant because a higher PSI could indicate a problem.

Fuel Filter & Water Separator: The fuel filter's job is to keep dirt and particles out of your engine. If you notice the truck doesn't seem to be running smoothly, your fuel filter is the first thing you should check. If not changed regularly, this can also increase engine wear, so be sure to check your owner's manual for the recommended intervals.

Engine Block Heater: Diesel engines need a higher temperature to start and run properly. If you're driving in freezing weather, using the engine block heater is valuable for better starting and fuel efficiency. This device is installed in the engine block, and when activated, it brings your oil to operating temperature, which prevents gelling up. Perhaps consider an electric engine block heater because they're inexpensive and easy to install.

Air Dryer: This part is a must in cold weather and can prevent damage to the air brake system. The air dryer filters out moisture from your compressed air supply, keeping it clean and preventing freezing of lines when temperatures drop below zero.

Tire Pressure: Keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) on all of them. The cold can slowly cause them to deflate. Under-inflated or under-sized tires can cause significant damage and safety concerns in Winter and throughout the entire year. It's hard enough to stop on a dry road in the middle of summer with worn or deflated tires - don't test their limits in Winter!

Tire Chains: If you're off-roading or driving in mountainous areas, consider installing tire chains to enhance grip on slippery surfaces.

Winterizing your truck isn't only about performing routine maintenance - it's about you, as the truck driver, being prepared in advance so that you can drive safely and comfortably throughout the long, cold season. So, keep the following ideas in mind:

1. Make sure to remember that driving in winter takes more time - remember to calculate extra time for your trips.

1. Plan ahead for slick roads and drive smoothly, accelerating slowly and braking carefully.

1. Create a cold-weather kit in the case of emergencies. These kits should include a flashlight and extra batteries, blankets (the warmer the better), flares or reflectors for roadside emergencies, radio, emergency food rations, & a first aid kit.

The winter months are coming, so it’s time to get your truck ready for the harsh weather. If you don’t prepare now, you could be in trouble when you inevitably end up stuck on a snowy highway somewhere with your vehicle not running. It may seem like a daunting task making sure that every part of the truck is prepared for winter, but there are some simple things that can help keep everything from freezing or breaking down.